Anthony Weber, 30, of Winooski, Vermont, was sentenced yesterday in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of luring a child. Judge Michael Harris presided over the sentencing on June 25, 2024. The court imposed a 10-year term of probation with conditions that Weber complete sex offender programming and restrictions on his internet access and contact with the minor victim and minors under the age of 16. If Weber violates the terms of his probation, he faces up to five years in jail. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender for ten years following the completion of his probation.
The case was investigated by VT-ICAC (Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children), which handles cases involving child sexual exploitation over the internet. This includes the production and online distribution of child sexual abuse materials. VT-ICAC also provides forensic examination services, technical assistance, law enforcement training, and public education and outreach.
"The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children," stated an official release. Reports can be made regarding suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, child sexual molestation, child sexual abuse material, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet. To make a report, individuals can call the 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678 or visit https://report.cybertip.org.
NCMEC also offers support for those recovering from child sexual exploitation. "You do not have to navigate it alone," emphasized NCMEC representatives. They provide emotional and peer support services, help remove content from the internet, and assist in locating mental health professionals. More information is available at https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources or through their 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678.